https://youtu.be/5cix9TvS8C8

I Pledge Allegiance

2 Samuel 1

What’s happening- an Amalekite
comes to David and gives him a story about Saul’s death and how he witnessed it
and was actually the one to kill him. David mourns for Saul and his best friend
Jonathan in a lament

We know the true witness of Saul’s death from 1 Sam 31 so we know this guy is lying, for what reason- maybe to gain favor from David, a place in his kingdom as Israel’s next king; nevertheless David is intent on the man’s story, his tone changes in v.13 “who are you?” in more of a judicial line of questioning. The young man continues to tell David that he killed Saul.

So that’s your story?

David has staked his whole
life on “touch not God’s anointed”, and because of his allegiance to the Lord
and His king, David had been through many years of affliction and peril. And
this Amalekite thinks he’s going to win favor with David by killing Saul? The
one whom David protected even to the point of his own detriment?

That would be like trying to
speak bad about my husband to pastor Jay, trying to win his approval. Ain’t
gonna happen.

What kind of delusion is this
guy living under? David swore his allegiance to God and God’s anointed

It begs the question: to whom
are you pledging allegiance?

Allegiance defined as- loyalty
or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or
cause

David was loyal to God and to God’s man for the job. A very rare thing these days.

It is important to declare
one’s allegiance-

“I pledge allegiance to the
flag”...the US is not needy in making its citizens say the pledge. We have
nuclear bombs. It reminds us of our loyalty to defend America and her way of
life.

The ancient understanding of
faith includes an issue of a response.

“pistis” the Greek word for
“believe” as in John 3:36, has to do with loyalty or allegiance. To keep faith,
you must be loyal.

John 3:36 English Standard
Version (ESV)

36 Whoever
believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall
not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

ESV has a more correct
translation

Our marriage vows are linked
with allegiance- do not flippantly enter into marriage vows, otherwise to get a
divorce you should have to call everyone back that was at your wedding to tell
them that you lied

Christianity in America has
become a flippant declaration at the altar, forgetting that you actually made a
vow to God. You cannot say “I am loyal to America and collude with other
nations”

We have been given such a great gift in the atoning blood of Jesus, He was a better sacrifice and gave us a greater covenant with greater promises.

Hebrews 8:6 New King James
Version (NKJV)

6 But
now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also
Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

A gift given requires a
response. My response demonstrates the magnitude of my allegiance.

Four elements of allegiance:

1. Faithful- allegiance is